1. Start with a Small Space
Cats placed in new situations can become easily overstimulated, no matter how confident they were in their previous environment. Reducing the amount of novelty can help your kitty feel comfortable more quickly. Provide them with a dedicated space that is quiet and removed from the rest of the home. Typically, this ends up being a bathroom, walk-in closet, or bedroom. Don’t forget to include their food, water, litter box, and cozy bed for them to sleep in. It also helps to announce when you are entering their haven, often by speaking, knocking, or providing some other signal that you are about to approach.
2. Use Familiar Scents
Smells are a big deal for cats. If possible, if your new kitty came from a foster home, previous owner, or rescue sanctuary, ask if you can bring their favourite blanket, toy, or scratcher with them into your home. Even just one item that smells like an environment your new kitty knows is safe to could go a long way in signaling that they are still safe outside of that environment.
3. Let Them Choose the Pace
Kitties are known for their curiosity. They’ll want to see what their new home and family is all about at some point. However, every cat will go at a different pace. Start by leaving the door to their smaller space open. Let them choose if they want to come out, and don’t smother them when they do. If kitty hides, cowers, or hisses at the idea of being pet, picked up, or cuddled, don’t force it. Again, they may be overstimulated and their body language will tell you if they’re beyond their threshold for more.
4. Stick to a Routine
Cats are great with pattern recognition and thrive on a schedule. In fact, some cats develop colds or have their digestion disrupted due to simple changes in the routines around them. This is more likely to happen when they are placed in a new home. That said, the more structure they have, the better. This applies to what we do for them and what they see us do for ourselves. Try to feed your kitty and scoop their litter box around the same time everyday. If you have a specific time you get ready for work, try not to deviate while they get used to your comings-and-goings. Once your new friend sees what is normal, they’ll likely be more curious than concerned when something changes.
5. Create Verticality
Having the high-ground is considered a strategic advantage to us humans. This is also an ideology that cats live by instinct. Do you ever wonder why cats want to be on top of refrigerators or cabinets? It’s because they can survey everything around them. They can’t be surprised by what’s around them if they can see it coming, after all. Providing your new cat with tall cat trees or window & wall shelves, you’ll likely find them choosing one of these spots above all others (pun intended). Just make sure kitty is coordinated enough to know how to get down!
6. Try Pheromone Diffusers
We mentioned above the importance of scents. Pet supply stores sell pheromone-based scent diffusers and sprays that induce a sense of calm in many cats. Some plug into wall sockets, others can be sprayed onto commonly used surfaces. Research the varieties that may work well for your kitty, especially if there are other animals already in the home.
7. Talk to Them
Cats are social by nature. They don’t want to be isolated, no matter how stubborn they may seem. The best way to socialize with your new friend is to talk to them. There’s a reason we find ourselves baby-talking animals – they respond to it. Even if they’re not vocal themselves, cats do recognize that the weird noises their human is making is directed toward them. They can learn their names. They can even learned recall. Using reassuring tones can help them realize there are other beings present to bond to. Bonus tip: play purring sounds for kitty to hear. It’s not just human speech that helps them build bonds, but the signal of safety that comes with the sound of purring can be a big confidence boost.
8. Remember the Rule of Three
In many cases, especially for shyer cats, your new feline friend may need at least three days to decompress, at least three weeks to learn your routines and habits, and at least three months to truly feel like they’re a permanent part of the home. Being patient is critical to ensuring they build trust and bond to your family. With time, you’ll see their true purr-sonality shine